Game Recap: A Fighting Chance

Last week's loss to the Niners left a terrible taste in everyone's mouth. While the loss against the Texans was tough, at least the Jets and their fans can hold their head high playing an elite team to the final whistle. I would argue was a closer game than the 23-17 final score showed, and what I saw during the course of the game made me much, much more confident of the Jets chances this season

Desperate Times Call For Desperate Measures -- If the Jets quit at the end of last week's Niners game, this week the team never gave up, and actually played like a team with nothing to lose ... and it actually worked to their advantage. Down their star cornerback, nose tackle, top two receivers and top pass catching tight end, there were a number of daring plays during the game ... some worked and some didn't ... but at least the team TRIED to keep the Texans guessing and worried about the final outcome.

No Depth / Depth -- Leading up to the game, the ESPN analysts were KILLING the Jets and Mike Tannenbaum in specific in their inability to bring in sufficiently talented players to put around Mark Sanchez. Now that the team has suffered some serious injuries, it has exposed the flimsiness of the front office's plans. In some ways I do agree that Tannenbaum should have found better talent to put in place around Sanchez, but at the same time to see players like Jeremy Kerley and yes, even guilty tipster Jeff Cumberland coming into their own is a good thing. The Jets will be getting back Dustin Keller soon (we hope) as well as the athletically freaky Stephen Hill, which will upgrade the offense significantly. Kerley is now the constant in this unit and Keller and Hill's additions will only help. The team is going to be better served by letting these guys get into the game and play. It might infuriate fans, but now that Clyde Gates is dealing with an injury, see if the Jets don't promote Jordan White back to the roster ... he might be able to provide an interesting flavor to the Jets slot in select situations.

Way to Go, Cro -- Andre Johnson isn't the player he once was, but he's still a pretty great player and more importantly he's an extremely physical player at 6-3 and 230 pounds. To see Cromartie handle him as well as he did over the course of the whole game gave me hope. The one area I've always wanted to see more from Cromartie in is his physical play. I've maintained that Cromartie is a great player, but a player playing in the shadow of the expectations of Darrelle Revis. Cromartie showed the world last night that he's still a big asset to this team, picking off Matt Schaub for just the second time in Schaub's first five games.

Batter Up -- Sanchez has always struggled with getting balls batted at the line of scrimmage and in less than two years JJ Watt has proven that he's a master of doing just that. While Rex or Sanchez might say it was unfortunate that those plays were batted, the Jets had to account for that in their game plan and their inability led to some bad plays for the Jets in both halves. Coaches never like to single out specific plays as gamechangers, but the one that was (yet another) six point swing for the Jets at the end of the first half was killer.

Open Highway -- The Jets are still having real trouble in defending the run and Arian Foster was all to willing to take advantage. The Jets had points in the game where they did well against the run, but it wasn't consistent and Foster still ended up carving up the unit for over 150 yards on 29 carries. If there's any solace, it's that the Jets will get a reprieve this week when they face a lagging Colts running unit... but after that they are going to face the Patriots, one of the league's most efficient units. The Jets have to start cleaning up and gaining confidence in defending the run THIS WEEK if they are going to stand a chance of staying relevant this season.

The Line, The Line -- The Texans have invested wisely in their defensive linemen and it showed against the Jets o-line. The Texans were collapsing the pocket regularly and I don't know how many times Brandon Moore and Austin Howard were brutally beaten. How scary a moment was it when Mangold went out of the game? I think that would have been a bridge too far for this team had they lost Mangold for any extended period. Keep an eye on Mangold's status this week ... it might be something worth monitoring. I liked some of what I saw from Hilliard in the backfield and he might see more time on the field over John Conner the way Conner has been playing so far this year. Of course all this meant that Sanchez was under duress much of the night and Shonn Greene had another bad game. I get that Shonn Greene is supposed to be a runner that wears down a defense over the course of the game, but his longest gain was for 12 yards ... and it came too little, too late. If he's great late in the game, then fine, just play him in the fourth quarter and find someone else to do the rest ... he's clearly incapable of making yards on his own with a line that's not doing him many favors. The Jets would be wise to really consider who's a free agent to give this running game a much-needed shot in the arm.

Stealing Monday -- Beyond Westhoff's uncanny ability to scheme for special teams, one of his best traits is his unflinching nerve when the Jets play much better teams to try and steal possessions on special teams from their adversaries. Westhoff and the unit added a much-needed seven points late in the game, while Tebow's fake punt run and the onsides kick were daring plays -- plays that helped keep the Jets relevant while outgunned against a stout Texans team. Only by having a good special teams unit could the Jets dare to be so risky, and it worked out for them on the fake punt but unfortunately not on the onsides kick. You have to credit the Jets for their bold effort, even if they weren't able to secure the bal on the kick ... that could have been a difference maker in the game.

Daily News Live: Bowles' future

7:11PM

The Daily News Live panel discusses what Todd Bowles can do to save his job and if he is the right coach to lead a rebuilding effort.

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The Jet Stream Podcast - Todd Bowles' Blueprint

9:06AM

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In the latest episode of The Jet Stream, Jonas Schwartz and Willie Colon look back at the eight sacks the Jets' D laid on the Tennessee Titans, as well as Christian Hackenberg's performance. Later, the guys discuss the wide receivers, offensive line, and their expectations for this week's matchup with the Detroit Lions.

GECIO SportsNite: Jets get reward from Bowles

1:05AM

Jeane Coakley and Ralph Vacchiano report from Florham Park where Todd Bowles allowed his team to remove pads during practice on Wednesday.

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Reports: Mauldin has assault case delayed

Aug 16 | 8:38PM

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(Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports)

Jets linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin showed up to a Manhattan court on Wednesday for his alleged assault of a Queens man, but the case has been delayed because prosecution wasn't ready to file paper work, according to multiple reports.

Mauldin had turned himself in to authorities in late June for his alleged role in the nightclub attack that took place on April 2. The New York Post reported on June 21 that Mauldin had been charged with misdemeanor assault, which carries a maximum sentence of year in jail.

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - In the wake of the ugly riots in Charlottesville, Va., there's a possibility that more NFL players will decline to stand for the national anthem during preseason games this weekend, joining a protest started by Colin Kaepernick last year. So far there's no indication any Jets players will join them.

But if they do, their coach will have their back.

"We don't have a rule book on what's right to protest and not protest," Bowles said at Jets training camp on Wednesday. "You don't know those things until the course of time, whether it's sitting for the anthem, whether it's raising your fist, wither it's speaking out, a walk to Washington -- who's to say whose protest is good or bad?"

Morton: Still too early to decide if Hackenberg will get starting job

New York Jets quarterback Christian Hackenberg (5) throws a pass against the Tennessee Titans during the third quarter at MetLife Stadium. (Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports)

Ralph Vacchiano, SNY.TV:

John Morton seemed to like everything he saw with Jets quarterback Christian Hackenberg on Saturday night. He liked his poise, his decisiveness, the decisions he made. It was clearly a step in the right direction.

But was it a big step toward Hackenberg getting the starting job?

That's a question that Morton, the Jets new offensive coordinator, wasn't willing to answer on Tuesday. In fact, Morton made it sound like Hackenberg still has a long ways to go.

Whitehead joined the Jets after he was released by the Cowboys on July 24. He returend two punts and a kickoff in the Jets' preseason opener. Serving primarily as a returner, he caught three passes for 48 yards for the Cowboys in 2016.

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GEICO SportsNite: Jets respond to Bowles' critique

Aug 16 | 1:53AM

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GEICO SportsNite: Jets camp00:01:46

Jeane Coakley reports from Jets camp, where Todd Bowles was pleased with his team's response to his criticism.

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GEICO SportsNite: Bowles not happy with Jets practice

Aug 15 | 1:14AM

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Jets Training Camp report00:01:37

SNY's Jeane Coakley reports from Jets training camp where head coach Todd Bowles was not pleased with the team's most recent practice.

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Forte feels close to returning from hamstring injury

Aug 14 | 6:41PM

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New York Jets running back Matt Forte is tackled by Miami Dolphins corner back Tony Lippett during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. (Brad Penner/USA Today Sports Images)

Jets running back Matt Forte is missing time in the preseason and training camp due to a hamstring injury for the second year in a row, but told NJ.com's JJ Conrad he feels he is close to returning to the field.

"I'm feeling good, but not good enough to be in full practice yet," Forte said to Conrad on Monday. "I'm just going through what the trainers tell me, easing back in. I don't want to go back out there immediately and get injured again."

Forte, who did not play in Saturday's 7-3 win over the Tennessee Titans in the Jets' preseason opener, said he the trainers are being cautious with him given the nature of hamstring injuries and the fact the veteran running back underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn meniscus at the end of last season.

Jets sign WR Daniel Williams, wavie WR Deshon Foxx

Aug 14 | 2:07PM

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Oct 17, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; General view of a New York Jets helmet during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports (Matt Kartozian)

Williams spent time with the Oakland Raiders after going undrafted out of Jackson State (Miss.). Standing at 6-foot-2, 234 pounds, he totaled 184 receptions for 2,497 yards and 19 touchdowns in four years at college.

Foxx went undrafted as well out of UConn in 2016. He spent time on the Seattle Seahawks practice squad before joining the Jets this offseason. The Jets waived him on May 9, but eventually resigned him on May 22.

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McCown filling leadership role at quarterback

Aug 14 | 8:48AM

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New York Jets quarterback Christian Hackenberg (5) watches as quarterback Josh McCown (15) warms up before a preseason game against the Tennessee Titans at MetLife Stadium. (Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)

With Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty still early in their NFL careers, Josh McCown is taking a leadership and mentorship role at quarterback in his first season with the Jets.

"Every quarterback goes out there and they want to finish each drive with a touchdown, so when those things are happening, there is kind of an inner fight of, man, do I need to do more?" McCown said, according to Newsday. "Things happen and you get kind of delayed, but the fight as a quarterback is to stay in the system, stay within the game and don't be greedy and force the ball. So my hat is off to both of them for not doing that."

The Jet Stream: Live from Florham Park

Aug 13 | 8:00PM

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SNY's Jonas Schwartz and former NFL guard Willie Colon are live from Jets training camp in Florham Park. The guys open the show with SNY Jets reporter Jeane Coakley to discuss the biggest storylines from camp. Then, they welcome in tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins, who opens up about the troubled start to his NFL career, and how he is a changed man. Later, rookie safety Marcus Maye joins the show to give his thoughts on his first NFL training camp, and how he is adjusting to life in the New York area.

Therezie, a 26-year-old free safety, recorded one interception, two passes defensed and 36 combined tackles in 25 games with Atlanta over the past two seasons. He was an undrafted free agent out of Auburn.

Middleton, who was competing for a backup role with New York, recorded six combined tackles and one pass defensed in four games as a Jet last season. He suffered the injury in the fourth quarter in Saturday's 7-3 preseason win over the Tennessee Titans and is expected to undergo surgery, according to the New York Daily News' Manish Mehta.

The Jets also announced they waived fullback Algernon Brown, who appeared in eight offensive plays and two plays on special teams on Saturday. He recorded 1,310 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns in four seasons with BYU.

Jets WR Robby Anderson on McCown, Hackenberg

Aug 13 | 3:56PM

BGA Preseason Spotlight: Claude Pelon

By Bent | Aug 13 | 1:34PM

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This preseason, I'll be spotlighting an under-the-radar player who impressed me in each game and assessing that player's chances of making the team. Today we'll look at defensive lineman Claude Pelon, who was one of the top performers in the Jets' 7-3 win over the Titans in the preseason opener.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - The last time anybody saw Christian Hackenberg in a game was the preseason finale almost a year ago. It was a disaster. He completed just 11 of 31 passes for 54 yards and threw an interception, too.

It was a much, much different and better Hackenberg that the Jets got to see on Saturday night.

Players to watch in Jets first preseason matchup against Titans

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - The good news is the Jets really have no choice but to play most of their starters in their preseason opener. Or maybe that's the bad news given the low expectations for this team.

But Jets GM Mike Maccagnan and coach Todd Bowles have promised competition all summer long for almost every job on the roster, and the competition begins for real against the Tennessee Titans at the Meadowlands on Saturday night. Not all jobs are up for grabs, of course, but quite a few are.

Here's an inside look at some of the battles and 10 intriguing players to watch:

Aug 12 | 11:00AM

Some of the Jets' newest additions, TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins and S Marcus Maye, had high praise for their new head coach, Todd Bowles.

Both appeared on SNY's The Jet Stream podcast, and when asked who is most impactful to the Jets this season, Seferian-Jenkins showed love to his coach.

"I would definitely say, first of all, coach Bowles," Seferian-Jenkins told SNY's Jonas Schwartz and Willie Colon. "I never had a coach like that, that really just says a real, honest thing. Just tells you the truth. He doesn't want to lie to you, he doesn't want to sugarcoat anything. I think he's a phenomenal coach."

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - The memories of Christian Hackenberg from last season are few and not very good. He had two ugly preseason performances and then was buried on the depth chart, only resurfacing to occasionally misfire in practice. His future didn't appear bright at all.

That's why all eyes will be on Hackenberg when the Jets open up their preseason slate against the Tennesssee Titans at the Meadowlands on Saturday night.

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GEICO SportsNite: Latest updates from Jets camp

Aug 10 | 1:38AM

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Jets training camp00:01:42

Jeane Coakley breaks down the latest news and updates from Jets camp as they get ready for their first preseason game on Saturday.

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Skrine calls Jets' secondary 'special group'

Aug 9 | 9:22PM

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(Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports)

Jets corner Buster Skrine thinks this year's secondary will not only be an improvement over last year's but that the group also has the potential to stand out.

"This is my seventh year in the NFL and this is one of the most aggressive groups I've been around - and confident," Skrine said, according to Newsday.

Bowles not concerned about Hackenberg's struggles

Aug 9 | 7:12PM

Jets quarterback Christian Hackenberg had another tough day at practice Wednesday, throwing two interceptions during team drills. It marked the second straight day that Hackenberg threw two picks during 11-on-11 drills.

The second-year quarterback had not thrown an interception during his first eight practices of training camp. Head coach Todd Bowles is still confident in what Hackenberg can do on the field, regardless of what has happened the last two days.

"It's practice," Bowles told reporters Wednesday. "The defense has got to get turnovers. I'd be concerned if they weren't. They got two today, but we're cleaning some things up, and we're learning as we go. It's going to be up and down every day, so we'll just go from there."

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Jets receivers viewing Enunwa's loss as opportunity, not setback

Aug 9 | 9:39AM

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(Robert Deutsch)

Though the Jets lost WR Quincy Enunwa for the rest of the season, the other receivers are not viewing it as a setback, per Newsday's Kimberly A. Martin.

Leading the wide receiver corps now is WR Robby Anderson who saw limited time in his rookie year last season. The 24-year-old viewed the situation entirely different than the reporters asking him questions after practice Tuesday.

By Ralph Vacchiano | Aug 8 | 7:27PM

Todd Bowles has had more than enough of the Sheldon Richardson-Brandon Marshall feud.

After 11 months of sniping back and forth between the two of them, and one day after Richardson reignited the war by ripping Marshall in a radio interview, the Jets coach made it clear he's had enough of their fighting. Bowles even grew testy with the media when asked about Richardson's latest remarks.

Rookie Marcus Maye is one of the best Jets players at camp

Aug 8 | 1:00PM

Maye, the Jets' second-round pick out of Florida, was known to be extremely aggressive and instinctive coming in, and he has certainly shown CB Morris Claiborne he is NFL-ready.

"You can tell: He's a guy that's all about his business," Claiborne said. "He's just aggressive and smart. You wouldn't expect the football smarts from him at this stage. But he's picking up the defense well and going out and making plays."